From the 20th to 25th of June, 415 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets held its annual Winter Bivouac at Heathcote-Graytown National Park, a major component in the training of our cadets.
Basic Stage Cadets honed their fieldcraft skills through applications of their previous learning through navigation exercises using a compass and map, along with the use of RATEL (radio telecommunications), and camouflage and concealment.
Additionally, cadets used their team building skills to assemble structures such as tripods. Finally, basic cadets learnt essential survival skills such as cooking, where each section had to light a fire to cook food on the hot coals.
The senior cadets underwent a “mobile bivouac” where their campsite would be moved every night. This would include setting up hutchies, and lighting a fire again, which developed their discipline and organisation.
Overall, the bivouac was highly successful, as all cadets were not just able to display their skills in the field, but also learnt new ones as well.
Thank you to the Staff, Cadet Executives and Cadet NCOs who were able to make the camp run smoothly.
